Bengaluru garbage contractors accuse BSWML of harassment, delay in payments
Warn of service disruption in city
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Mahanagara Swachahte Matthu Lorry Malikara Hagoo Guthigedarara Sangha, representing garbage contractors and lorry owners, has levelled serious allegations against senior officials of the Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd. (BSWML), accusing them of harassment, non-payment of dues, and arbitrary deductions.
In a strongly worded letter to BSWML, the contractors warned that the continued delay in payments and unaddressed grievances could soon force them to stop work—potentially triggering a major garbage crisis in the city, as reported by The Hindu on Monday.
The union alleges that BSWML’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) were ignoring contractors and directly issuing instructions to Assistant and Deputy General Managers. The letter accuses the officials of acting out of “selfish motives and personal desires” rather than working in the interest of Bengaluru’s waste management system.
The association members mentioned that they had previously sent a letter on September 9, holding the two officials directly accountable for the escalating confusion. The letter highlighted that contractors’ monthly bills have remained unpaid since April, with arrears dating back to January still unsettled.
“Because of this, contractors have been forced to bear penalties and interest charges from the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) departments. Even when partial payments were released, unexplained deductions were being made from the bills, worsening the financial strain,” DH quoted one of the members of the BBMP Garbage Contractors Association as saying.
The cascading impact of delayed payments is affecting not only vehicle maintenance and fuel costs but also the timely payment of drivers and pourakarmikas. Many contractors, the union said, have been pushed into debt to keep services running.
The letter further highlighted the challenges faced by workers, who are expected to report for duty at 5:30 a.m. without access to public transport. Many are forced to walk long distances or spend on expensive autorickshaw rides due to lack of support from authorities.
S.N. Balasubramanian, President of the BBMP Garbage Contractors Association, said he had personally appealed to the COO for a joint meeting of officials and contractors, but no such meeting had been convened. “If the issues are not addressed and work is forced to stop in the coming days, the COO and CFO will be directly responsible,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
Adding to their concerns, a circular from the Bengaluru City Traffic Police dated September 18 instructed that garbage lorries must not be parked on public roads, citing traffic disruptions and safety hazards. The directive mandates that all garbage vehicles be parked at BBMP depots or designated areas only, failing which enforcement action will be taken.
Contractors argue that this directive imposes an additional financial burden, as they now have to arrange secure parking for hundreds of vehicles across the city—at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat.
The contractors has called for immediate intervention by BSWML, warning that a failure to resolve the issues will lead to protest and disruption of garbage collection services in the city.
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Vijay unable to prove majority, not invited for CM oath ceremony: Sources
Chennai: Actor-politician Vijay has reportedly not been invited to take oath as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu after failing to demonstrate support from the required number of MLAs, sources in Raj Bhavan said.
According to media reports that quoted sources in the office of R.N. Ravi Arlekar, Vijay could not prove the backing of 118 legislators, the majority mark in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly.
Despite last-minute efforts to secure support from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazagam (AMMK), and an IUML legislator, Vijay reportedly managed support from only 116 MLAs, falling short by two members.
Sources said Vijay failed to submit letters of support from the VCK and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Later, the IUML issued a statement clarifying that it was not part of the TVK-led alliance.
Meanwhile, AMMK leader T.T.V. Dhinakaran is also said to have informed the Governor that his party would support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) instead.
Earlier in the evening, Vijay had met Governor Arlekar and staked claim to form the government, stating that he enjoyed the support of 118 MLAs.
